24th March 2010 9:00
By Blue Tutors
In an article on the Metro News website in Canada, an article discusses what parents should look for when choosing the best tutor for their children. Two tutors from different tuition agencies gave their views on the specifics of what makes a good tutor, and, maybe more importantly, what makes a good tutor for a particular student.
Ian Cunliffe of Vancouver Tutoring Service emphasised the goals of tutor, student and parents as being more important than matching personalities. He thinks that every student wants to be successful, but that sometimes students simply don’t respond to a tutor, because they don’t want one. Cunliffe also says “A good tutor’s goal is to work briefly but intensely to get a child back on track”. Something which it is difficult to disagree with, but may suggest that intensive tuition is more productive than more consistent, longer-term tutoring, which flies in the face of popular opinion.
Gabriel Kuperman of Tutor Index (tutorindex.ca) stresses the importance of finding out as much as possible about a tutor before employing them, and also researching the logistics of services offered. Kuperman mentions academic qualifications as being the first things that parents should look at, and also suggests that parents consider the possibility of travelling to their tutor, because whereas home visits appear to be far more convenient, they often add to the cost.